While it might not be the most obvious pitstop for stunning decor, the sheer amount of traffic through your bathroom means that it makes sense to spare at least some thought to decorating choices here. Unfortunately, the often neglected nature of this space means that it isn’t unusual to be at a complete loss as to where you should start when doing so.
After all, our bathrooms are largely private spaces, meaning that there’s nowhere near as much bathroom inspiration out there as there is for the rest of the house. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you’re on your own, with top interior designers especially providing advice that you won’t want to skip. Most specifically, many designers speak out about the mistakes they see being made here. But what are those mistakes, and what can you do to avoid them?
# 1 – Choosing beauty over practicality
In most rooms (perhaps except for the kitchen), we can get away with focusing on decor additions/design choices for purely beauty-based reasons without necessarily feeling any ill effect. Unfortunately, the high water content and generally damp environment of our bathrooms mean that the same rules don’t quite apply. In fact, according to designers like Gail Barley, you’ll quickly come to rue mistakes like opting for a slippery bathroom floor that just doesn’t serve you. Other designers also advise against additions like small or fiddly tiles that are more likely to collect impossible-to-clean mould, while even decor additions like non-washable but beautiful bath mats, candles that will inevitably get wet, and ornaments that you can’t wipe down will all look sorry rather than splendid before you know it. Instead, practical, easy-clean options that you can wipe down in seconds will both look the part for longer, and save you a great deal of time. §
# 2 – Neglecting storage
Interior designers may all have their own styles, but one thing they agree on pretty unanimously is the fact that neglecting bathroom storage is one of the worst things you can do here. Designers like Tali Roth even go as far as to state that ‘You absolutely need as much storage as possible to ensure that your bathroom stays the most functional and uncluttered space.’. And it makes sense when you consider that even a great bathroom design could quickly be unravelled by toothbrushes piled on a shelf, or even a rogue shower gels in the corner of your bathtub. Instead, incorporating storage options like medicine cabinets, vanities, etc. into even small bathroom spaces can work wonders for clearing clutter, and bringing bathroom decor into its own at long last.
# 3 – Too many additions
We all know that additions like plants, striking bathmats, and even a few pieces of artwork can all look great on their own in our bathrooms, but piling too many decor additions into what’s typically a small space (at least in the grand scheme of your home) can equally backfire. Designers especially advise against messy designs that focus on too many patterns at once, urging you to consider stripping back to just a few more subtle additions. Certainly, one well-chosen piece of wall-art paired with a stubble design extra like this hello beautiful slogan bath mat is going to look far cleaner than four pictures and a multicoloured mat would. And that’ll make a huge difference for keeping things streamlined, peaceful, and as functional as you need them to be.
# 4 – Overlooking your lighting
Countless designers also advise against one of our most fateful bathroom oversights – the risk of overlooking our lighting. Again, Tali Roth specifically states that ‘There’s nothing worse than a poorly lit bathroom,’ and she isn’t wrong. As well as entirely ruining the ambience of this space, limited or stark lighting can prevent you from achieving the bathroom that you’re after. To avoid that, designers generally advise incorporating at least three light sources that cater for overhead, close-up, and task lighting. Make sure, too, that you consider your needs when making your choices here, e.g. soft, subtle lighting for a spa-like finish, bright close-up offerings if you do your makeup here, etc. Then, you’ll be far better able to both enjoy the space as you need to and to light it up so that all of your other great design choices here shine loud and proud.
Getting bathroom design right can be difficult, but who knows how to perfect this focus better than the interior designers who have dedicated their lives to the cause?